Let's talk about Verticals

Michaela Bergmann

5.0 (1)
AFTER SHOWS
UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

A Podcast with people who are part in the vertical industry, whether actors, producers, directors, fans, streaming platforms, etc. Everyone is welcome to talk with me about the big, wide world of verticals. About life with and in this world, its bright and dark sides. Be excited for wonderful real talk paired with humor, charm but the necessary seriousness 🎙️

11H AGO

90 - Emma Reinagel - Rum, Fights & a Little Clumsiness...

A true Vertical Queen is my guest today: Emma Reinagel 👑✨ The action, adventure, and fighting enthusiast shines not only in werewolf verticals but also in “Kiss of the Pirate King”— and she’s nothing short of a queen in these stories. Her performances are genuinely captivating, and what makes her stand out even more is how often she portrays characters who evolve into powerful, unstoppable women. And honestly… we love that 💥🔥 Like many actors, Emma initially found the world of verticals a bit unfamiliar. After her first shoot, she even came across some werewolf ads and thought they were kind of… weird 😄 — until she ended up starring in one herself and fully stepping into that space. Beyond acting, Emma is also a producer, which gives her a unique perspective on both sides of the camera 🎬 She actively watches her own verticals to reflect on her performance, learn from them, and understand the post-production process better — always striving to grow and improve. While filming “Romancing the Star” with Dylan Vox, she first heard about plans for a pirate vertical. So when she was eventually cast as the lead in “Kiss of the Pirate King,” her excitement was huge ⚓🏴‍☠️ At the same time, she admits she had a few concerns — mainly because, as she puts it, there have been a couple of… clumsy moments on set before 😅 If there’s ever a sequel, the wishes are already clear: Nick Ritacco wants more rum 🥃, and Emma definitely wants more weapons and fight scenes ⚔️🔥 Scotty, you might want to add that to your notes! Maybe even plan a deliberate “falling overboard” moment for Emma — just to prevent any accidental ones 😂🌊 This was such a fun and insightful conversation, full of behind-the-scenes stories from “Kiss of the Pirate King” and Emma’s journey in verticals. Definitely worth a listen — enjoy! 🎧✨ Some Verticals with Emma Reinagel: Kiss of the Pirate King (MyDrama) Taming My Stepbrother (Netshort) Life is not a Game (CandyJar) Romancing the Star (MyDrama) Step Aside Ex, She's the Hidden Lycan Queen! (DreameShort) #vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community

1h 13m
1D AGO

89 - Scotty Mullen - Writing, Acting & Building Worlds 🎭✍️

A great Vertical lives and dies by its story and script 🎬✨ And when you’re bringing an entirely new genre to life, creativity becomes everything. In today’s episode, I’m joined by someone who truly embodies creativity – Scotty Mullen 🎭🔥 Actor, writer, and casting director, Scotty talks to me about his latest project “Kiss of the Pirate King” (releasing May 8 on MyDrama) ⚓🏴‍☠️ We dive into where he finds his inspiration, how he playfully teased director and producer Dylan Vox with his ideas, and how the pirate world ultimately came to life 🌊 From leads like Nick and Emma to a pirate ship, a castle, and even a dungeon – Scotty brings it all together into a rich period piece story with ease. His creative process? Headphones on 🎧, music playing 🎶, a quick power nap… and suddenly his fingers are flying across the keyboard ✍️💥 With over 12 years of experience as a writer and deep insight as an actor on set, Scotty knows Verticals from every angle. Interestingly, he feels like he often ends up playing versions of his own brother (whom he very clearly loves 🤭). His biggest challenge? Playing… himself. We also talk about how he got into writing, what still challenges him today, and the long-term goals he’s working toward 🚀 Plus – creatives can look forward to a valuable piece of advice from Scotty, and yes… there might even be a few subtle spoilers about “Kiss of the Pirate King” 👀 A refreshing, creative, and genuinely fun conversation – including some spontaneous plans involving a love for Europe 🇪🇺✨ So grab your headphones and join us on a journey between storytelling and the camera 🎧🎥 Some Verticals Scotty worked on: Kiss of the Pirate King (MyDrama) - Screenwriter/Actor Daddy, Don't Hurt Mommy (Dramabox) Alpha of Shadows: The Queen Returns (Dreamehort) Swapped Bodies with My Secret Crush (MyDrama) Screenwriter/Actor #vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community

1h 2m
2D AGO

88 - Amy Casazza - Transforming Actors into Legends: The Art Behind the Look...

Today, we’re once again going behind the scenes 🎬 – shining a light on the people who truly bring a Vertical to life. This time, I sat down with Amy Casazza ✨ And what can I say? Someone who is Head of Hair, Makeup & Special Effects definitely has a lot of stories to tell 💄🎨😉 Originally, Amy started out in the bridal industry 👰‍♀️ before finding her way into film almost by accident – and eventually into the world of Verticals. But like so many others, she quickly got hooked… and hasn’t been able to let go ever since 🎥🔥 Thanks to talents like Amy, actors don’t just look amazing on screen – they feel authentic in every scene ⚔️🏴‍☠️ For the pirate vertical “Kiss of the Pirate King”, Amy and her team created stunning, detailed looks that truly transport us into a pirate world full of atmosphere and adventure 🌊 In our conversation, she shares what made the research for this project so special, what it was like filming on a ship at sea 🚢, and the unique challenges that came with it 🌬️ Was she able to transform Nick, Emma, and the entire pirate crew into authentic characters of that era? And what was her very first thought when she got asked to join this project? 🤔 Dive into a world of costumes, pirates, and behind-the-scenes magic together with Amy and me ⚓✨ And get ready for “Kiss of the Pirate King” – releasing May 8 on MyDrama 🎉 Some Verticals Amy Casazza worked on: Kiss of the Pirate King (MyDrama) Romancing the Star (MyDrama) Swapped Bodies with My Secret Crush (MyDrama) All I Want for Christmas Is My Quarterback Husband (Dramabox) Highs-Stakes Heartthrob (MyDrama) #vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community

1h 15m
3D AGO

87 - April Recap - AI, New Players & Shifting Power in Verticals

We’ve wrapped up Easter and already moved past the fourth month of the (vertical) year — and April definitely delivered a lot to unpack 📊 Beyond our usual categories, this month calls for a broader, more critical perspective. One of the most defining trends right now is the growing impact of AI on the vertical ecosystem 🤖 From content production to storytelling structures and scaling capabilities, AI is increasingly reshaping the rules of the game — and challenging existing success models. At the same time, there’s notable movement on the talent side 🎭 A well-known actor is no longer ReelShort-exclusive and is now appearing in new contexts. This highlights just how dynamic and competitive the space has become. On the platform front, we’re also seeing fresh momentum 🚀 A newly launched, heavily promoted app has entered the market, aiming to establish itself through strong positioning and aggressive marketing. Whether it can sustain that momentum remains to be seen — but it has already captured attention. All in all, April once again shows how fast-paced and multifaceted the vertical universe is ⚡ Between technological disruption, rising competition, and new entrants, it’s more important than ever not just to track developments — but to actively interpret them. Joining the discussion:* Michaela (Host) @lets_talk_about_verticals* Aline @i.love.verticals* Dalia @verticalfilmslover* Shikha Dia @verticalviewweekly* Caitlyn @verticait* Meagan @realreeldramaOur Monthly Recap gives you direct insight from the audience perspective on what truly stood out… and what definitely didn’t.This month’s categories:🎭 Actor/Actress of the Month🎬 Supporting Role of the Month💫 Chemistry of the Month🏆 Vertical of the Month💩 Crap/Disappointment of the MonthAs always, we keep it open, honest, and unfiltered — celebrating what we love about the Vertical industry while also calling out where there’s clear room for improvement.A refreshingly entertaining yet critically reflective conversation you don’t want to miss 🎙️✨Enjoy listening!

2h 5m
4D AGO

86 - Volodymyr Pielikh - Vision, Humor & the Reality of Acting...

🎙️ In today’s episode, I’m joined by model and actor Volodymyr Pielikh—thanks to Bianca from UAFandom for making this conversation happen 🙌 We dive into his journey into the vertical world after years of modeling and appearing in TV commercials, his very first shoot, and his first werewolf vertical 🐺 With refreshing honesty, we talk about the acting challenges behind verticals—what can make them difficult to shoot or even ruin them afterward. I also share my perspective as a viewer 👀—why I stopped watching some of his projects and how a lack of chemistry between leads can impact the experience, while Volodymyr explains why this happens so often. We also explore his goals and dreams ✨: shooting outside the US & Canada (ideally in Europe 🌍), learning sword fighting ⚔️, and bringing those skills into future verticals. And yes—he already has the perfect helmet for a Troy-inspired time-piece 🏛️ And do you want to know what became his favorite food after his time in the jungle—but something he sadly hasn’t had again since? 👀 (Spoiler alert: it’s definitely not something common… and I’m not sure who else, like me, feels slightly grossed out by it 😅) An open, honest, and entertaining conversation full of humor, charm, and vision. Enjoy listening! 🎧 Some Verticals with Volodymyr Pielikh: The Summer I Turned My Sexiest (Gammatime) Seducing My Sisters Ruthless CEO Husband (Moboreels) My Wife Never Knew Who I Was (Joyreels) Ballerina Reborn for Revenge (Dramabox) Baby Daddy That Not Your Kid! (Goodshort) #vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community

1h 31m
APR 29

85 - Mary Foster - Roles, Reality & Self-Care...

🎙️✨ In today’s episode, actress Mary Foster @mary_jacqq joins me as we dive into her journey in the vertical space, her broader acting career, and everything that comes with it. Many of you might know her from her iconic villain roles 😈 — but thanks to the wide variety within vertical storytelling, she’s also taken on the role of the best friend 💕 more than once. She truly enjoys both sides and is excited to keep expanding her vertical portfolio. Shooting abroad 🌍 is definitely high on her wishlist! We also talk about the importance of mental balance 🧘‍♀️ and self-care in such a fast-paced industry. Mary finds peace in gardening 🌱 and makes sure to take intentional breaks to avoid burnout. A healthy work-life balance ⚖️ is essential — and often underestimated. How does Mary prepare for her roles? 🎭 What does it really take to step into a character? And how has playing strong, confident villains impacted her personally? All this and so much more in our wonderful girl talk 💬💖 Tune in — it’s definitely worth a listen! 🎧✨ Some Verticals with Mary Foster: Brave New Beginning with My Fire Captain (@dramawave_official) My Poor Husband Is the Real Boss (@dramabox_official) His Love Was A Lie (@dramabox_official) Dont Mess with the XXL Heiress (@dramabox_official) Taming the Football Bad Boy (@dramabox_official) #vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community

1h 9m
APR 25

84 - Max Shusterman - From the Ice to the Screen – A New Path Forward...

A bucket list for 2026 is a beautiful thing – and it truly comes alive when you keep adding new goals to it. ✨ Max Shusterman is my guest, and together we’re adding fresh items to his bucket list. One we can already check off: recording a podcast episode together. ✔️🎙️ When his dream of becoming a professional ice hockey player didn’t work out, Max decided after college to fully focus on acting and modeling – and moved to New York. 🗽 After many acting classes, he took his first steps into the vertical space and has been moving from role to role ever since. An important support early on was Hunter Kohl, who stood by his side as a lead actor and colleague in his first two vertical productions. 🤝 From lovey-dovey good guy to assistant, bully, or total a**hole – Max embraces the full range of characters and truly loves that diversity. 🎭 One small thing still on his bucket list: he hasn’t had the chance to shoot outside of New York City or New Jersey yet – but that’s high on his list to change soon. 🌍 Over the years, acting has taught him not to take things for granted and to appreciate life more deeply. He values a great atmosphere on set and still carries one big dream from childhood: playing the lead in an ice hockey vertical – combining two of his greatest passions. 🏒✨ What kind of stories he wants to tell next, how his singing journey is going, and what else we added to his bucket list – you’ll hear it all in this episode. Enjoy listening! 🎧💫 Some Verticals with Max Shusterman: Bitchy BFF It's Your Turn to Pay (Goodshort) Victory Is in Hand (Goodshort) Code of the Heiress (Goodshort) Dare to Harm the Billionaire's Wife? (Goodshort) Lion's Dawn (Dramabox) #vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community

1h 18m
APR 22

83 - Fantalk - Vicky (verti.verse) - Verticals, Databases & Dream Casts 🎬💡

🎙️ New Fan Episode – featuring Vicky from Verti.Verse What would the vertical industry be without its audience? That’s exactly what I dive into in this new episode with Vicky from Verti.Verse – and so much more. Vicky entered the vertical space quite early – like many others: she saw an ad, just wanted to take a quick look… and that was it, she was hooked. Since then, she has watched countless verticals and become a true pillar of the fan community. One of her biggest contributions: a self-built database that gives you a clear overview of many actors’ filmographies – including exactly which platforms their verticals can be found on.And if that’s not enough, she also maintains a birthday list so you never miss an important date 🎂 In this episode, we talk about:✨ her favorite genres – and what really annoys or even triggers her✨ the kinds of stories she’s still hoping to see✨ why “Verticals made in Germany” are long overdue (hello Autobahn 👀) We also get a peek into her “actor wishlist”:🎬 Who she’d love to see in lead roles – including Adam Chisnall and Evan Camacho🚀 The perfect role she has in mind for Nick Ritacco🧘‍♀️ And why verticals featuring Teig Sadhana have a surprisingly calming effect on her A packed episode full of fan insights, passion, and unique perspectives from the community. 👉 Definitely worth tuning in!

1h 8m

A Podcast with people who are part in the vertical industry, whether actors, producers, directors, fans, streaming platforms, etc. Everyone is welcome to talk with me about the big, wide world of verticals. About life with and in this world, its bright and dark sides. Be excited for wonderful real talk paired with humor, charm but the necessary seriousness 🎙️

Creator

Michaela Bergmann
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

91
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Michaela Bergmann
Show Website

Let's talk about Verticals